Exploring the Mechanisms of Electroacupuncture-Induced Analgesia through RNA Sequencing of the Periaqueductal Gray.

Electroacupuncture (EA) can relieve various pains. However, its mechanism in terms of the transcriptome is still not well-known. To explore the full profile of EA-induced molecular modification in the central nerve system, three twins of goats were selected for a match-paired experiment: EA stimulation (60 Hz, 30 min) and none-EA (control). Goats in the EA group showed an increased (p < 0.05) nociceptive threshold compared with the control goats. Experimental goats were sacrificed at 4 h of the experiment, and the periaqueductal grays were harvested for RNA sequencing. As a result, 2651 differentially expressed genes (1803 up-regulated and 848 down-regulated genes) were found and enriched in 30 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways and 149 gene ontology terms. EA-regulated five neuropeptide genes (proenkephalin, proopiomelanocortin, preprodynorphin, diazepam-binding inhibitor and proprotein convertase 1 inhibitor) were validated with quantitative PCR. Furthermore, up-regulated glutamate receptors, glutamate transporters, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, GABA transporters, synaptotagmins or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) genes might contribute to EA-induced analgesia through regulating the glutamatergic synapse, GABAergic synapse, MAPKs, ribosome or ubiquitin-proteasome pathways. Our findings reveal a full profile of molecular modification in response to EA and provide a solid experimental framework for exploring the mechanisms underlying EA-induced analgesia.

Dual-wavelength Nd:YAG laser operation at 1319 and 1338 nm by direct pumping at 885 nm.

This paper presents a continuous wave and a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser pumped by diode laser at 885 nm. The maximum output power of the CW laser is 8.28 W with an absorbed slope efficiency of 35.01%. The Q-switching is achieved using a V³âº:YAG crystal as the saturable absorber. The maximum output power of the passively Q-switched laser is 3.55 W with an absorbed pumping power of 28.65 W operated with a dual wavelength at 1319 and 1338 nm. The shortest pulse widths of the Q-switched laser are 20.20 and 20.86 ns, with a maximum repetition rate of 64.10 kHz.

Q-switched 1329 nm Nd:CNGG laser.

We demonstrate a laser-diode-pumped Q-switched 1329 nm neodymium-doped calcium-niobium-gallium-garnet (Nd:CNGG) laser using a V:YAG crystal as a saturable absorber. An average output power of 353 mW and a repetition rate of 13.43 kHz for Q-switched pulses were obtained. The pulse width was from 124 to 151.4 ns under different pump powers. Output power of 685 mW was obtained without the V:YAG crystal inserted.

Identification of the relationships between sagittal plane and coronal plane curvature in guppy models.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between sagittal plane and coronal plane curvatures in guppies by investigating the curvature angles of sagittal and sagittal-coronal guppies. METHODS: After mating between 1000 spinal curvature guppies, 124 guppies (3-month old) were screened from progenies for the present study. Photos of all fishes were taken and the sagittal and coronal angles were calculated via angle measure tool of Photoshop 12.0 software. All data were analyzed by SPSS 11.0. RESULTS: In sagittal and sagittal-coronal curvature guppies, there was a significant linear correlation between sagittal angles and coronal angles. In 48 sagittal-coronal curvatures, their sagittal angles were above 40°, meanwhile, in 76 sagittal guppies, their sagittal angles were mostly below 40°. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that the occurrence of coronal curvature might be later than sagittal curvature and could be influenced by other factors. Sagittal angles 40° might be involved in the onset of coronal curvature.

Ultrasensitive detection of amplified spontaneous emission at 710 nm by means of picosecond collinear optical parametric amplification near degeneracy.

We report the experimental results on improving the detection of an ultraweak optical signal using a 355 nm pumped picosecond collinear optical parametric amplification (OPA). The OPA is seeded by the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) generated in a solution of pyridine-1 dye in ethanol. The gain factor of this amplifier is determined as ~1.5×10(8), and the detection limit is ~1.25 aJ per pulse, corresponding to five photons at 710 nm within the 15 ps pulse width of the pump beam. This is achieved by reducing superfluorescence background noise by means of signal/idler double seeding near degeneracy, amplification under a slightly phase-mismatched condition, and space filtering with increasing observation distance up to 3.2 m. Compared with previous reports, the detection limit is significantly enhanced. The pulse shape of the ASE is also measured with OPA, and it agrees well with that measured by an ultrafast oscilloscope.

[Application of PHILOS plate through mini-open deltoid-splitting approach for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To study clinical effects of PHILOS (proximal humeral internal locking system) plates through mini-open deltoid-splitting approach for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures. METHODS: From March 2006 to August 2010, 22 patients with proximal humeral fractures were treated with PHILOS plates through mini-open deltoid-splitting approach. According to Neer classification, 6 cases were type II, 15 cases were type III and 1 case was type IV. Through the anterolateral approach to the shoulder, anterolateral vertical incision of 4 cm length was perforrmed from 1 cm under acromion, and separated deltoideus muscle vertically to touch the fracture,reduced the end of fracture directly and indirectly. PHILOS plate was inserted downward into anterolateral surface of humerus through deltoideus muscle, the distal end and proximal end was fixed by locking screws. The Neer score for shoulder function was evaluated within 1 year after operation. RESULTS: The operative time ranged from 30 to 70 minutes with an average of 45 minutes. No blood transfusion was required during the operation, and all incisions healed in stage I. All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 6 to 18 months with a mean time of 12.5 months. All the fractures healed up perfectly, and the union time ranged from 6 to 12 weeks. According to Neer criteria for shoulder joint function, 10 patients got an excellent result, 9 good, 2 poor and 1 bad. There were no complications such as axillary nerve injuries, screw loosening, steel plate breakage, dislocation of shoulder joint and necrosis of humeral bone. CONCLUSION: PHILOS plate through mini-open deltoid-splittin approach for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures has follow advantages: simple recover,minor-injuries and small tissue invasion, which is an ideal method to treat proximal humeral fractures.

Functional reconstruction of ischemic contracture in the lower limb.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the method of functional reconstruction of ischemic contracture in the lower limb and propose a classification protocol for ischemic contracture in the lower limb based on its severity and prognosis. METHODS: A total of 42 patients with ischemic contracture in the lower limb were included in this study. According to different types of disturbance and degrees of severity, surgical reconstructions consisting of nerve decompression, tendon lengthening or transfer, intrinsic foot muscle release and sural-tibial nerve anastomosis were performed in every patient. RESULTS: Postoperatively, all patients were able to walk on flat ground. Drop foot was corrected in 10 patients, and 5 patients still felt some difficulty during stair activity. Split Achilles tendon transfer to flexor hallucis longus tendon was performed in 12 patients, and their walking stability was improved. Seven patients accepted ipsilateral sural-tibial nerve anastomosis, and sensitivity recovery reached to S2 in 2 patients and S3 in 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic contracture in the lower limb is a devastating complication after lower limb trauma. The prevention of contracture is much more important than the treatment of an established contracture. Split Achilles tendon transfer to flexor hallucis longus tendon and sural-tibial nerve anastomosis, which was initially implemented by us, could improve the functional recovery of ischemic contracture in lower limbs, and thus provides a new alternative for functional reconstruction of ischemic contracture in the lower limb.

Generation and optical parametric amplification of picosecond supercontinuum.

We have demonstrated the output characteristics of optical parametric amplification (OPA) seeded by a supercontinuum (SC) generated in deionized water excited by 1064 nm. The SC spectrum (from 426 to 943 nm) overlaps well with the tuning range of a 355 nm pumped OPA for both the signal and idler. The tunable range covers from 430 to 2035 nm, with a maximum overall energy conversion efficiency of 32% in the OPA stage. A FWHM bandwidth of 54 nm near the degeneracy point from 658 to 760 nm can be generated by using a collinear OPA. Chirping of the SC pulses is also investigated with the OPA technique. The time delay between the 430 nm component and the 567 nm component of the generated SC due to chirp is measured to be -10.72 ps, increasing almost linearly with the wavelength.

[Effect of ambient atmosphere on laser micro-plasma radiant intensity].

The plasma radiant intensity was investigated by a laser micro-plasma spectral analysis system. The system consists of an YJG-II laser micro-spectral analyzer and a CCD data acquisition and processing system. National standard soil samples were studied in the experiment under different ambient atmosphere with argon, helium and the mixture of argon and helium by using the analysis lines, Ca II 393.367 nm and Ca II 396.847 nm. The results of this research suggest that both the time of plasma illumination and the radiant intensity of plasma in an atmosphere of helium-argon mixture were better than that in pure helium or argon gas. The plasma radiant intensity was obviously enhanced when the proportion of helium and argon was 66.7% and 33.3%, respectively. Under these conditions, the influence of the height of auxiliary electrode on laser micro-plasma radiant intensity was also investigated. The maximum laser micro-plasma radiant intensity was reached when the height of auxiliary electrode was 3 mm.

[Gene profiling of MAPK pathway in human osteosarcoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the functional effects of MAPK pathway in the pathogenesis of human osteosarcoma. METHODS: Gene microarray (Human Genome U133A, Affymetrix) was used to screen the differential expression of genes involved in MAPK pathway between osteosarcoma cell lines and 3 osteoblastic cell lines. KEGG metabolic pathway analysis was performed among significantly increased or decreased genes using the MATLAB software. Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expressions of ERK1/2, JNK and p38 proteins among 48 osteosarcoma and benign 24 osteoblastic tumor samples. RESULTS: Using an entrance limit of > or = 2.0, 18 differentially expressed MAPK pathway-related genes were selected (10 up-regulated, 8 down-regulated) to mapped to the MAPK pathway of KEGG which are all important node genes. The positive rates of ERK1/2, JNK and p38 proteins were 83.3% (40/48), 72.9% (35/48) and 85.4% (41/48) in osteosarcomas,and 12.5% (3/24), 8.3% (2/24) and 16.7% (4/24) in the control group, respectively. The positive rates and expression intensities were statistically different between the 2 groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: MAPK pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma. ERK, JNK and p38 form an intercoordinating network and regulate the cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, invasion and migration in osteosarcoma.

Treatment of type C3 distal radius fracture resulted from high-energy injuries by volar plate in combination with external fixator.

BACKGROUND: With a type C3 distal radius fracture it is extremely difficult to maintain the reduction and to restore congruity of the articular surface because the support for the volar and dorsal bone cortex has been lost. An external fixator crossing wrist in combination with Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation was popularly used by most studies in recent years. But loss of reduction often occurred especially in the volar sides. METHODS: A total of 30 cases of type C3 distal radius fracture were treated by a volar buttress plate combined with a transarticular external fixator and other techniques such as K-wire fixation and bone grafting if necessary. The postoperative volar tilt angles, ulnar inclinations, radial heights, range of motion, grip strength and complications were recorded to assess the therapeutic effects. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients, 27 patients were followed up for 12 - 29 (mean 18) months and all fractures healed in 8 - 13 weeks after surgery (mean 10 weeks). The wrist function was excellent in 8 cases, good in 16 cases and fair in 3 cases according to the Sarmiento scoring system (modified by Stewart). CONCLUSIONS: For type C3 comminuted fracture with severe volar and dorsal instability, fixation by volar buttress plate combined with transarticular external fixator should be adopted. Dorsal instability could be further stabilized by other techniques such as Kirschner wire fixation, and bone grafting.

[Combination of volar buttress plate with external fixator for the distal radial fractures of type C3 caused by high-energy injuries].

OBJECTIVE: To preliminarily explore the effect of combination of volar buttress plate with external fixator for the distal radial fractures of type C3 caused by high-energy injuries. METHODS: From January 2001 to June 2007, 13 patients with distal radial fracture of type C3, 9 males and 4 females aged from 26 to 47 (average 37 years), were treated with volar buttress plate combined with external fixator plus the techniques of K-wires and bone grafting as necessary, whose effects were evaluated preliminarily through comparing the volar tilt, radial inclination, radial shortening and wrist function. RESULTS: Followed up from 7 to 29 months (average 18 months), the volar tilt, radial inclination, radial shortening and wrist function of all patients recovered remarkably. Nine patients achieved excellent and 4 good according to Sarmiento score (modified by Stewart) in the radiological manifestation, while 5 patients displayed excellent, 6 good, and 2 fair according to Gartland-Werley functional assessment system. CONCLUSION: 1) Volar buttress plate could support the valor cortex in order to prevent comminuted fragment from displacing and maintain volar tilt and to provide the volar fulcrum for external fixator. 2) External fixator, with the assistance of volar fulcrum, could maintain the volar tilt and the height of distal radius and help unload the fossa. 3) Supplemental K-wires fixation and the bone graft may assist fracture stable.

[Determination of Al and ca in soil by laser micro-plasma spectroscopy].

Laser micro-spectral analyzer, coupled with CCD spectrometer, was used to determine soil elements in argon atmosphere at reduced pressure in the authors' experiment. The accuracy and availability of this method were studied. With Al I 394.40 nm and Ca II 396.85 nm as spectral analysis lines, using "the three standard samples method", the contents of Al and Ca in soil were determined. The results show that the maximum of relative standard deviation (RSD) of quantitative analysis is 5.80%; the maximum of relative difference between the quantitative analysis result and the standard value is 7.65%, suggesting that the accuracy of determination of Al and Ca in soil meets the challenge of quantitative analysis.

[Study on the quality of spectral line of laser microprobe emission spectral analysis].

In this paper, the quality improvement of Laser Microprobe Emission Spectral Analysis (LMESA) lines in argon atmosphere at reduced pressure was experimentally investigated. The experimental setup consists of a YGJ-II laser micro-spectral analyzer and a photo-electro detection system. The temporal behavior and the intensity distribution of Cu I 324.7 nm and Cu I 327.4 nm lines of the copper alloy standard samples were studied. The results show that LMESA spectrum strongly depends on the environment gas, its pressure and the auxiliary excitation parameters. When the diameter at the end of graphite auxiliary electrodes is 1.5 mm, the distance between the electrodes is 4 mm, the center of the electrodes is 3 mm above the sample surface, the voltage of the auxiliary excitation is 1,300 V and the argon pressure is 33.2 Kpa, the emission time of Cu I 324.7 nm and Cu I 327.4 nm is about 500 microseconds longer than that in the air. The emission intensity of Cu I 324.7 nm and Cu I 327.4 nm is about 4 times higher than that in the air at the same pressure and is about 2 times higher than that in the air at normal pressure. The full width at half maximum of the spectral lines is obviously narrowed.